Illinois Fence Company - FENCE RESOURCES

What is the Average Cost to Build a Fence?

April 13, 2023

Installing a new fence

Are you planning to install a new fence in your backyard? Here is what you can expect to pay for your next project from a local fence company in Orland Park, IL, and the surrounding suburbs. 

​So you have decided that you want to install a new fence in your backyard. But you are probably wondering at this stage in the process how much a new fence is going to cost you, right? Well, we are going to cover how much you can expect to pay based on the materials you choose to have installed. Many people don’t realize that the fence material you want is the single most significant factor that influences how much the final project costs overall. 

​People choose to have fences installed for a variety of reasons. Parents, for instance, are primarily concerned with fencing in their yard to provide a safe space for their children to play. Pet lovers are looking to protect their furry friends from other animals. And in some cases, people want to add an extra level of privacy in the yard, especially in situations where you have nosy neighbors. So the question is, how much is a new fence going to cost you? Well, the answer is, it depends.

The cost of your new fence depends on a variety of factors, such as, but not limited to: 

  • The linear footage needed
  • The types of materials you choose (wood, vinyl, aluminum, chainlink, etc.)
  • The desired height of the fence (4, 5, or 6ft.)
  • Whether you need an old fence removed 
  • Whether you need the dirt hauled away
  • What type of gates and hardware you select ​

​Unlike other home improvement projects, having a new fence installed, in most cases, isn’t going to add much, if any, value to your home. But that doesn’t stop 100’s of thousands of homeowners from installing new fences every year. There are many benefits to installing a new fence, and it is sure to increase the overall enjoyment of your backyard living space.

​The Cost of Fence Installation

According to Home Advisor, the world’s largest home improvement website in the United States, you can expect to pay anywhere between $1,648 on the low end, up to roughly $4,000 on the high end, with the average price being approximately $2,700. As we have mentioned before, the exact pricing depends on a wide variety of factors, which we will discuss below. Still, in most cases, you can expect to pay $15 to $50 per linear foot. While the national averages of material and labor are useful for getting a general idea of what your next project is going to cost you. You want to remember that your actual prices will vary depending on where you live in the country. 

So by now, you might be wondering, what goes into the final price of a new fence? You want to make sure that when you are comparing estimates from local fence companies, that you take the following line items into account:

  • The type of material you select 
  • Contractor labor costs (range from $30 to $80 an hour)
  • Obtaining a fence permit from the building department
  • Having underground cables marked by Utility Locator Company
  • Having gates installed (can be an additional charge per gate)
  • Takedown and haul away of an old fence
  • Dirt removal from the premise
  • Other hardware and decorative elements

The Cost of Fencing Material

The type of material you choose to have installed is one of the most significant factors in determining how much you will pay for your next fence project. As you will see below, the cost of materials varies greatly depending on what you choose to have installed. You can expect to pay anywhere between $10-75 per linear foot. Here is the breakdown of average costs by material type:

Wood – $1,500 to $4,000
Vinyl – $2,000 to $5,000
Aluminum – $2,000 to $5,000
Chainlink – $1,100 to $2,800
Wrought Iron – about $2,500
Steel – $10 to $350 per eight-foot section 
Wire – $1 to $3 per linear foot

The next thing you want to consider is the desired height of the fence, as this, too, will significantly affect your overall costs. How tall do you want the fence to be? Are you primarily concerned with nosy neighbors? In the fence industry, “privacy” is a term, in most cases, used to describe a 6ft tall solid fence (wood or vinyl), which provides the most separation from the outside world of your backyard. Keep in mind, the taller the fence, the more it’s going to cost per linear foot. Privacy fences are ideal if you do a lot of entertaining in your backyard and own a patio, pool, or hot tub. 

​If you are looking for the cheapest fence option available, you are going to want to consider chain link fencing. While it does not offer any privacy from neighbors and in most cases, it’s not very tall; it does do a great job of keeping pets and children in the backyard. Again, if you are looking for the most affordable option, then chain link fence material is going to be the best option for you.

​Saving Money on Your Fence Installation

So at this point, you might be wondering what you can do to save money on your next fence installation project? Below is a list of ways that you can reduce your overall cost:​

  • Choose cheaper fence materials (think chain link)
  • Choose to install a lower height of fence
  • Have the fence installed in the winter months (or off-season)
  • Don’t fence in the entire property at one time
  • Remove the old fence yourself
  • Remove the dirt yourself
  • Choose simple gates, locks, and other hardware

​Another way to save money is to see if your homeowners’ insurance will cover some or all of your next fence installation. Unfortunately, this method only works if your fence was recently damaged. Insurance does not cover normal wear and tear. But if a storm damaged your fence, in most cases due to high winds, then you may be eligible to submit a claim. Keep in mind when opening a homeowner’s claim that most likely, you will have to pay a deductible. You want to make sure there is a significant amount of damage before opening a claim against your homeowners’ policy.

​Long Term Costs of Maintaining Your Fence

​Up until this point, we talked about what you can expect to pay for a new fence. But now we want to transition into talking about what you can do to protect your investment long term. The initial cost of the fence is just the start. What many people fail to realize is that there are going to be annual maintenance costs if you want your fence to last for many years to come. Your upkeep costs will vary depending on the type of fence material that you choose to have installed. 

For instance, if you decide to have a wood fence installed, you are going to want to apply a weather-resistant sealant. These sealants are known for protecting fences against moisture from penetrating the wood, especially in parts of the country that are prone to lots of rain or snow. While these sealants are not perfect, they could add years of life to your fence. We highly recommend that you apply these weather-resistant sealants annually for the best results. 

Harsh weather conditions are not the only threat to your fence. You will also want to take precautions against termites and other bugs eating away at your wood fence. Your local hardware store will sell sprays that will keep these pests away. In some cases, it is a good idea to pressure wash your fence annually to remove any harmful mold or residue from the surface of the fence.  

And lastly, regardless of the type of material you have installed, you are going to have to perform routine repairs. These repairs can be as simple as replacing broken fence pickets and in more extreme cases, having to replace the actual posts themselves. What you will see over time is that the fence will start to lean or be uneven due to the posts becoming weaker over time. Sometimes you will need to hire a local fence repair company to come out and replace posts to extend the life of the fence. The good news is that most reputable fence companies offer some type of limited lifetime warranty on fence material to protect you against material defects. In some cases, there is also a short term warranty (1-5 years) to protect you against faulty craftsmanship during the fence installation process.

Well, there you have it! Now you have a better understanding of what the average cost to build a fence is for your backyard. Please feel free to contact us for more information about your next fence installation project.

Author / Owner / Operator

Paul Georgopulos Owner of Illinois Fence Company

Paul Georgopulos

Hi, I'm Paul, the proud owner of Illinois Fence Company. With a passion for crafting beautiful, durable fences and a background in SEO and online marketing, I'm dedicated to bringing your yard to life with our custom wood, vinyl, and aluminum fencing solutions. Living and working in Orland Park, I'm committed to enhancing our community one fence at a time. Need a stylish yet functional fence or some savvy marketing tips? I'm your guy! Let's connect and make your vision a reality.

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